Vitamin B1

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Vitamin B1 belongs to the group of water-soluble vitamins. It was first isolated in 1910 by the Japanese scientist U. Suzuki. Vitamin B1 is essential for the normal course of development and growth processes, regulates the functions of the digestive, nervous and cardiovascular systems, and also takes part in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.

Vitamin B1 is not stored in the human body for future use and therefore must be systematically replenished. Has no toxic effect, because its excess is easily removed outside with waste products. It enters the body with food and is synthesized by the microflora of the large intestine. Easily destroyed when food is cooked.

The biological role of vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 has a regulatory effect on the nervous system. In addition, it takes an active part in the processes of water-salt, protein, carbohydrate, fat and energy metabolism. Lack of vitamin B1 leads to the accumulation of pyruvic and lactic acid in muscle cells, which reduces the synthesis of acetylcholine and disrupts the normal functioning of the digestive and nervous systems.

Vitamin B1 optimizes brain activity, improves memory, intelligence and mood. It has an effect on growth, actively participates in the processes of hematopoiesis. Due to its antioxidant properties, it reduces the negative impact on the human body of various toxic substances, including alcohol and tobacco, and slows down the aging process.

Vitamin B1 maintains the tone of the muscles of the digestive system, blood vessels, and reduces the manifestations of seasickness.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of vitamin B1 for hair. With a lack of this vitamin, the hair begins to dull, thin and become very brittle. In addition, vitamin B1 hypovitaminosis is often one of the main causes of dandruff.

Daily requirement

Every day, an adult should get at least 0.5 mg of vitamin B1 for every thousand calories. During illness or during convalescence, with diseases of the thyroid gland and high physical exertion, the need for vitamin B1 increases significantly.

When taking oral contraceptives, antibiotics and drugs containing sulfur, there is a decrease in the level of vitamin B1 in the body. In order for vitamin B1 to pass into its active form, a sufficient amount of magnesium must be present.

Vitamin B1 hypovitaminosis

Lack of vitamin B1 is manifested by the following symptoms:

Irritability, tearfulness, fatigue, depression;
Insomnia;
Chilliness;
Deterioration in motor coordination;
Nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea;
Shortness of breath on exertion.

With a significant lack of vitamin B1 (vitamin deficiency), a disease called beriberi develops. It is manifested by symptoms of damage to the nervous system, the appearance of paralysis, muscle atrophy and severe cardiovascular failure.

Vitamin B1 overdose

For this vitamin, the development of a hypervitaminosis state is usually not typical. However, vitamin B1 in ampoules for injection can lead to the development of allergic reactions, because in high doses, it can lead to the development of nonspecific degranulation of mast cells.

Vitamin B1 content in food

Sources of vitamin B1 are many plant and animal products:

Baked goods and bread baked from wholemeal flour;
Cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, unprocessed rice);
Sunflower seeds and nuts;
Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli;
Soybeans, legumes;
Oranges;
Currants, blueberries, strawberries, rose hips;
Prunes, plums, raisins;
Spinach, nettle, chamomile, sorrel, clover, mint, parsley;
Meat and meat offal (brains, kidneys, liver);
Fish and seafood.

It should be remembered that under the influence of heat treatment, the content of vitamin B1 in foods decreases.

Vitamin B1 ampoules

In case of insufficient intake of vitamin B1 with food and the development of symptoms of hypovitaminosis or vitamin deficiency, vitamin B1 is prescribed in ampoules (injections). In addition, indications for the appointment of this vitamin are:

Diseases of the cardiovascular system - endoarteritis, myocarditis, chronic circulatory failure;
Neurological diseases - asthenovegetative syndrome, peripheral paralysis, polyneuritis, neuritis;
Mental illness - complex therapy for Alzheimer's disease, dementia, depression, psychosis;
Diseases of the digestive system - peptic ulcer, gastritis, enterocolitis, chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, disease of the operated stomach.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of vitamin B1 for hair and skin. Therefore, it has found wide application in the treatment of many dermatological diseases (seborrhea, psoriasis, pruritus, pyoderma).

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